Until you've visited the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show(TGMS)you really can't fully grasp the magnitude of this show. It can be overwhelming even for a veteran participant. Started in the 1970s as a means of uniting the hobby enthusiast, the public, and the curator professionals for discovery and discussion centered around gems and minerals, the TGMS is the largest, oldest, and most prestigious gem and mineral show in the world. Tens of thousands of people attend the show. 250 retailers from nearly every country in the world are present. For a week, Tucson lives and breathes gems and minerals. The size and scope of the show are, quite frankly, mind-boggling.

But at Bronwen Jewelry, there's one thing that doesn't boggle our minds, and that's gems! Even just saying the names of some of these stones gives us shivers: Herkimer diamonds, Peruvian opals, rubies. Whether we are buying finished stones like opals and diamonds or raw materials like druzys, crystals, or petrified wood and abalone shells, when we are at the TGMS we are right in our element--sourcing the most beautiful and interesting materials to provide you with unique handmade jewelry.

Every year, Bronwen Jewelry staff attend the TGMS to meet face-to-face with our preferred supplies and vendors that we've built relationships with over the past decade, as well as to scope out potential new sources of beads, pendants, cord materials, technologies, tools, and display ideas. We identify beauty and quality and bring them home to you, in the form of our artisan bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.

Each year we fall in love with a few different gems and minerals, and this year was no exception. We fairly swooned over the crystal rhodochrosite, which represents unconditional love. Evolved over the millennia from a combination of manganese carbonate, rhodochrosite's beautiful pink color and unique patterns of white bands create a stunning contrast that's easy on the eyes. Often called "the compassionate cheerleader," rhodochrosite is a heart-based healing crystal and opens up the heart chakras to the possibilities of healing, happiness, and love. Our artisans are busy in our Bend, OR studio designing ways to bring rhodochrosite to you in the form of beaded jewelry and pendant necklaces.

Australian opals caught our fancy this year as well, due to their luminous iridescence. More than 95% of the world's precious opals come from Australia, and it's the national gemstone of that country. Opal was rare and considered invaluable in antiquity, and was prized by royalty across Europe. Until the vast Australian opal deposits became available to the rest of the world in the 19th century, the only known source of opals was in Slovakia.

We spend hours combing through special one-of-a-kind gemstones and druzys to find perfect pairs for earrings and necklaces that we sell to our lucky studio shoppers in Bend. Why not just source these gems online? Because the exquisite druzys and other precious gems we use in our artisan jewelry must be hand-selected in order to provide our customers with the high quality beaded bracelets, gemstone earrings, and artisan necklaces they expect from our brand. We have to see and touch these materials to be assured of their integrity.

Druzy crystals have become one of our favorite materials for creating sparkly, breathtaking necklaces and earrings. In addition to making any piece of jewelry eye-catching, druzy crystals are reported to imbue the wearer with heightened creativity and imagination, as well as relaxation and stress relief. Look great while feeling mellow? Sign us up!

Jewelry artists aren't the only ones who frequent the TGMS; it's an annual gathering place for rock-hounds as well. Because honestly, where else are you going to find items like 15' tall amethyst towers or petrified woolly mammoth tusks? Lapidary artists (those who form stones and minerals into decorative items) frequent the TGMS to buy their raw materials, hauling away great buys like giant chunks of raw turquoise.

Bronwen Jewelry has used African trade beads in our necklaces almost since the very first piece we designed, and we still haven't tired of these vibrant glass beads. Just looking at the riot of color available from our bead suppliers makes us happy, and sourcing materials from our trusted friends at our favorite African trade bead booth makes us even happier.

And at the end of the show, we're all exhausted, but we're also infused with imaginative energy. As our thoughts turn toward our return home, our heads brim with ideas for creating new and fresh jewelry that totally rocks.

With Valentine's Day retail promotions beginning right after Christmas, it would be easy to fall into the trap of believing that the romance-inspired holiday is one to worry about, prepare for, and drop a lot of money on. But at Bronwen Jewelry, we believe that Valentine's Day is simply another opportunity to express your love for some of the women in your life, whether they're girlfriends, daughters, mothers, or wives. There's not much we love more than helping you select handmade jewelry that will show how much you care, and believe us--there are few possessions a girl or woman treasures more than an artisan-made necklace, bracelet, or ring that reminds them of cherished relationships.

If you like it and you plan to put a ring on it, you can rest assured that our Bitty Heart Stacking Ringwill not only capture her heart, but will encircle her finger in a striking mixed metal blend of sterling silver and brass. Handmade in Bali and available in three sizes, this ring is sweet or sexy, according to your mood.

If it's the color of love you seek, look no further than to one of our artisan necklaces featuring rubies. The rubies we use are not the garish rubies of fairy tales, but instead the classic shimmering gemstones that offer a pop of glamour on a sturdy and lightweight necklace that you can wear through sand, surf, and sweat. Our Ruby Trail Necklace goes with every item in your closet, while the Ruby Isis Necklace has been described to us as "the best little layering necklace in the world."

We adore the colors of love so much that we're always on the lookout for materials to use in our beaded necklaces and bracelets. And fortune smiled on us recently, when at the Tucson Gem Show Bronwen staff discovered the crystal rhodochrosite, which offers the most healing medicine of all: unconditional love. Evolved over the millennia from a combination of manganese carbonate, rhodochrosite's beautiful pink color and unique patterns of white bands create a stunning contrast that's easy on the eyes. Often called "the compassionate cheerleader," rhodochrosite is a heart-based healing crystal and opens up the heart chakras to the possibilities of healing, happiness, and love. Our artisans are busy in our Bend, OR studio designing ways to bring rhodochrosite to you in the form of beaded jewelry and pendant necklaces. What better timing to create with this stunning crystal than when love is in the air?

Valentine's Day gifts don't have to break the bank. Sweet, simple tokens of love are often the most appreciated and most versatile offerings on this day of widespread affection. Whether the woman in your life is the one who has been there for you all along, the one you used to squabble with but now adore, or the one you plan to spend the rest of your life with, she will be delighted with a piece of hand-crafted jewelry. And like your love, everything at Bronwen Jewelry is designed to last a lifetime.

As if Ruth Bader Ginsburg weren't notorious enough based solely on her academic and judicial career, the Supreme Court justice has to go and be a fashion icon as well!

The second-longest serving justice currently on the bench, and the second woman ever appointed to the Supreme Court, Justice Ginsberg is well known for her razor-sharp opinions, her forceful dissents, and her championing of the rights of marginalized groups. And although her personal style is a trifling matter compared with her illustrious career, we still bow our heads to a professional gal who can rock a glamorous collar like no one else. So here's to you, RBG, and your aesthetic that is as shrewd as your mind.

Jewelry juxtaposed with jurisprudence: RBG and just a few of the rulings of her tenure on the bench.

Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, 2007

No modern woman should go about her professional life without paying homage to the 2009 Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which was a direct result of Ginsburg's dissenting opinion in a ruling that favored the Goodyear Tire Company over a female executive whose pay fell woefully short of that of her male colleagues. The Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act addresses the gender wage gap by making it easier for women to challenge the unequal pay that is, sadly, still standard practice in this country.

We at Bronwen Jewelry stand firmly behind fair pay practices, not just for our employees, but also for the artisans from whom we source our precious gems, metals, and fibers, because fairly-traded materials support local economies and show respect for human dignity. Our Braided Romana Necklaceand our Beaded Aurelia Necklace may not be as--um--dramatic as some of RBG's trademark necklaces, but both are constructed guided by the same ethics that demand equal pay for equal work.

Sessions v. Dimaya, 2018

This ruling struck a blow to the current administration's deportation scheme, making it harder for the US to expel certain non-citizens. This landmark liberal victory also marked the first time in RBG's entire court career that she assigned a majority opinion as the most senior justice in the majority.

Thinking about US immigration policy reminds us of the many countries from which we at Bronwen Jewelry gain inspiration for our handcrafted jewelry designs and source high quality fair-trade materials. It's no coincidence that these are the countries we love to travel in, as well! Mexico--we love you, and we love your vibrant colors and your vibrant approach to traditional crafts. Can't you just see RBG sporting one of our Beaded Huichol Necklaces? Designed by Huichol Love and made by Huichol artisans in the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico and finished with sterling silver and gold elements in Austin, Texas and Sayulita, Mexico, these necklaces are a combination of colorful ethnic intensity and shimmering clean glamour. This lightweight and stunning statement piece is perfect for travel--which is only possible with open boarders, trust between nations, and common respect for others' humanity.

(Well ok, we were just going to focus on statement necklaces in honor of RBG. But for all we know, she's wearing statement bracelets under that black robe of hers. Statement bracelets like, perhaps, the Beaded Ombre Cuff? We may never know, but we can certainly picture Justice Ginsburg sporting this bracelet made by a women's artisan cooperative in Colombia--another country under fire in US immigration policy. Because damn, if the lady can pull off lace gloves--and she so clearly can--then striking beaded bracelets are right up her alley.)

Obergefell v. Hodges, 2015

Although it's disgraceful that same sex marriage rights were not granted at the federal level until three years ago, at least that Supreme Court, led by RBG, had the good sense to pass this ruling. A long-time promoter of LGBTQ rights, RBG identified regressive attitudes that would have allowed marriage to continue to be defined as a union between a man and a woman; her logical and sane reasoning influenced not only the court but public opinion as well.

We won't patronize you by telling you how firmly we stand behind marriage equality, but we will point you toward our beautiful and badass ambassador, Nikki Smith, who speaks and writes poignantly on the subject of LGBTQ rights. Nikki rocks our Open Gold Circle Beaded Fisherman's Necklace with the same confidence that RBG wears her "dissent collars," and champions long-overdue changes in social attitudes with the same zeal that RBG applies to her rulings. And as both Nikki and RBG are workout fiends (Nikki on rock and ice, RBG in the gym), it's quite handy that the Fisherman's Necklace--along with the rest of Bronwen Jewelry's Active Line--is swim, sweat, sand, and shower friendly.

All of Bronwen's handcrafted artisan jewelry is well made with quality materials designed to last a long and robust lifetime. We hope the same is true for the Honorable Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

I have been an exceptionally good girl this year (some might call me downright virtuous, at which I modestly blush). And so it seems appropriate that I write to you. Although sending you a list of things one wishes to receive for Christmas is a privilege indulged in only by--well--the privileged, it is nonetheless a tradition in some circles and represents both naivete and optimism that are, frankly, refreshing in these times. And so I respectfully submit my Christmas list to you for your perusal and, I hope, your serious consideration.

As you read my Christmas list, Santa, please bear in mind that I have not written you in nearly 40 years, and thus presumably have some goodwill banked on my own behalf. I'm not saying that you are morally obligated to fulfill my every wish because I ask so infrequently, but should you choose to interpret it that way you will hear no cries of outrage from me.

Bronwen's wish list for Santa:

#1) Survival of the world's coral reefs

Earth's coral reefs are, as you well have witnessed from your unique vantage point in the sky, disappearing at an alarming rate due to human-caused climate change, ocean acidification, and pollution, as well as increased consumer demand. Bronwen Jewelry is a sponsor of the Too Precious to Wear Campaign, which helps raise awareness about threats facing corals and takes action to conserve corals for the future of our ocean planet. Bronwen Jewelry offers instead of coral jewelry, knock-out red alternatives for women who are drawn to that fiery hue: the Condesa Double Wrap Bracelet andCondesa Disc Necklacewith scarlet Czech glass beads; the Mala Necklace, with crimson small batch handmade Tibetan beads; and when nothing but the flaming red shade of Rudolph's nose will satisfy, our garnet Ribbon Wrap Braceletanswers the call.

#2) Elimination of open pit mining

Open pit mining has an irrevocable environmental impact. Erosion. Sinkhole formation. Loss of biodiversity. Groundwater contamination. Small-scale mining (or "artisanal mining," as it's becoming known) tends to use rudimentary techniques, which make impossible the type of widespread destruction caused by open-pit mining. That's why Bronwen Jewelry uses only American-mined turquoise, which is extracted in small batches. We believe that artisanal mining is the only ethical and responsible method of mineral extraction and we're willing to pay higher prices for turquoise mined on a small scale. So when you see handcrafted artisan pieces like our Turquoise Isis Necklaceor our Turquoise Trail Necklace, you can rest assured that you're getting high-quality authentic turquoise mined in an environmentally responsible manner.

#3) Sweeping change in gold mining practices

Gold mines are notorious sites of some of the world's worst human rights abuses; child labor, slavery, and sexual exploitation are ubiquitous. Most retailers may not realize it but there is a powerful and direct link between the gold mining industry and the jewelry business. Because the gold mining industry is dependent onjewelry sales, retailers are in a unique position to drive change in the mining industry. We believe that jewelry retailers have a powerful role to play in helping to clean up the way gold is mined, so we champion the cause of No Dirty Gold, which is an international campaign working to ensure that gold mining operations respect human rights and the environment. Bronwen Jewelry's Mixed Metal Semplice Earringsand Mixed Metal Bhakti Necklacerepresent our promise to you that the gold and silver we use in our artisan jewelry was not acquired via the exploitation of a fellow human.

#4) Equality

A lofty goal, yes, but attaining true equality requires only an attitude shift. If we changed the collective mindset from one of suspicion and intolerance to one of acceptance and compassion, we would start a snowball of increasingly enlightened attitudes about equality. Photographer, climber, and Bronwen ambassador Nikki Smith touches on some of these ideas in a recent interview. Civil rights in America are in a more precarious position than they've been since the 1960s. At Bronwen, we say "indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

#5) Protection for special places

Never in our nation's history have our wild spaces been so much at risk. Corporate greed, a lack of connection to the environment, and the insatiable human quest for dominance over nature have resulted in legislation and practices that threaten some of the most pristine areas left in the United States.

That's why the Conservation Alliance is working to protect wild places. Located right here, where Bronwen Jewelry is located, in Bend, OR, the Conservation Alliance engages businesses to fund and partner with organizations to protect wild places for their habitat and recreation values. It's the 1989 brainchild of leadership at REI, Patagonia, The North Face, and Kelty, who wanted to increase outdoor industry support for conservation efforts by funding community-based grassroots campaigns to protect threatened wild habitat. Bronwen Jewelry is a proud supporter of the Conservation Alliance because they are dedicated to protecting the landscapes we love. And so we dedicate our Landscape Necklace Line to them.

Santa, in reviewing my behavior over the past four decades since I last wrote you, I admit that there have been times when I was naughty, but for the most part, I've been nice. During college and when my daughter was a baby I was awake far too often, but now I'm asleep whenever I get the opportunity. I was bad on occasion (chalk it up to the aforementioned sleep deprivation), but in general, I've been good. And most importantly, I've been good for goodness's sake--because being good for the sake of goodness in our world is the right thing to do.

That's it, Santa, just 5 little things on my list--5 little things that I hope will become your priorities. People always say that Christmas is the time when miracles can happen, so I'll stay optimistic. After all, stranger things have happened (many of them in the 25 months since the last presidential election).

So Merry Christmas to you, Santa. Your gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, nut-free, egg-free cookies baked by Buddhist monks in a clay oven burning sustainably harvested wood will be waiting on our hearth for you on Christmas Eve, as always.

Growing up, Bronwen Jewelry founder Bronwen Lodato spent a day every December tromping through the woods with her family, toes frozen, fingers numb, struggling up snowy slopes in search of the perfect Christmas tree. The annual multi-family Christmas tree hunt was not deemed a success until nearly every conifer in a 2-mile radius within the Wenatchee National Forest had been closely examined, analyzed for its redeeming features, and summarily rejected. Only then could each family return to the first tree they had identified as a possible winner and, with darkness approaching, begin to cut it down with a hand saw.

The dads liked it best when the hunt began at dawn and lasted well into the deepening dusk. The moms, having some foresight and intuition regarding how the day would play out, would have packed lunches and thermoses of hot tea. But still, after 8 or 9 hours outside in thigh-deep snow--and it was ALWAYS thigh-deep snow in those days--the kids (at least those who weren't preoccupied by their looming frostbite) were either on the verge of meltdown or had long since entered into full-blown hysteria.

But after the ordeal, when trees were strapped to station wagon rooftops (albeit quite cavalierly, generally requiring at least one stop en-route to re-secure trees to avoid harpooning the vehicles behind), car heaters were blasting, and the gang gathered for burgers or pizza in the village at the edge of the forest, the experience magically transformed in kids' short-term memories from a torment to a triumph. "Wasn't that fun!" everyone agreed over steaming mugs of cocoa. "We must do it again next year!"

All this, just for a tree. But yes, for a TREE! Oh, the majestic tree! The towering cedar, the rustling cottonwood, the quaking aspen, the modest larch. The rosy madrone, the glowing maple, the noble fir. The spiky spruce, the brilliant dogwood, the graceful willow. And those are just some of the trees of the Pacific Northwest. Venture forth and depending on how far you go, you'll encounter trees prosaic and exotic: nature's poems stretching skyward.

Trees are the breath of life--literally. "Trees exhale so that we may inhale," writes author Munia Khan. They inspire carbon dioxide and expire oxygen, which we humans greedily inhale, pollute, harvest, and take for granted at increasingly alarming rates. And yet the tree endures, providing us with clean air, shade, soil stability, wood products, and natural beauty.

In honor of the tree, we at Bronwen Jewelry present the handcrafted artisanal jewelry that celebrates the humble tree. Our Forest Landscape Necklaceis a simple yet stunning lightweight reminder of the role of the tree to those of us who love the outdoors. Swim/sweat/shower-friendly, the mixed metal pendant is cast in Thailand by a Fair Trade partner.

The Tiny Charm Mountain Necklaceis a tiny continuation of this forestlandscape,and is equally sporty and functional for gals on the go. And while a cactus is not technically a tree, sometimescacti's impressive proportions in the Southwest make that an easy mistake to make, and thus we offer our Cactus Landscape Necklaceas another, if technically flawed,argumentfor the tree.

Trees give us in copious quantities the element most necessary to sustain life: oxygen. Bronwen's Abundance Necklacepays respect to this process. Hand braided on waxed nylon cord with shimmering bits of sterling silver and 24k gold, the intriguing pendant urges us to be grateful for all we have.

Black Friday has come and gone, and instead of hitting the mall you chose to spend the day out hiking with friends, cutting a Christmas tree, or simply sitting around a fire working on a jigsaw puzzle and eating leftover turkey. Whatever the reason, you skipped the Christmas shopping frenzy, knowing you still had plenty of time to select thoughtful gifts for those on your list.

Still, it feels great to have a few items checked off your list well in advance. Stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, and tiny treasuresfor besties: these are all presents you can shop ahead for, and get a jump start on Christmas before the last-minute rush.

STOCKING STUFFERS

Let's start with stocking stuffers, because they're so darn much fun. Whether you're filling stockings for a young daughter, a beloved niece, wife, sister, or mother, Bronwen Jewelry has the perfect pieces of handcrafted artisan jewelry to fit your aesthetic and your budget. Tiny Charm Necklaces from our Petite B line are always a hit with the little people (and the women in their lives adore the adult version of these sweet, lightweight, water-friendly necklaces). Your teen will love our edgy and modern ear jackets, while your own mother will feel youthful, beautiful, and trendy in one of the artisan bracelets from our Active Line.

HOSTESS GIFTS

"I'd rather receive a poinsettia plant than a gorgeous artisan Ribbon Wrap Bracelet," said no hostess ever. Order up a handful of these sumptuous silk and silver or pewter beauties, and you'll be the most popular guest on everyone's Christmas party list. Or if you're lucky enough to be spending the holidays somewhere tropical, bring your hostess one of our popular Swim Wrap Bracelets: colorful, sparkly, and swim-ready.

TREASURE YOUR TREASURES

Your best friends are true gems: rare, precious, and unique. Honor your friendships with handcrafted jewelry that celebrates the vibrancy and beauty your besties bring to your life. Whether your girlfriends are the statement necklace type or prefer the understated aesthetic, there's a piece of artisan jewelry at Bronwen Jewelry to complement their style.

Holiday purchasing can bog down even the most stalwart of shoppers but with Bronwen Jewelry it can be downright fun. And if you're on the other side of the counter for holiday retail sales, don't hesitate to ask about our artisan jewelry wholesale program. We love our boutique and gift shop partners, and our loyal wholesalers report that their customers love our products! All of our products are protected by our signature repair/replace warranty, making Brownen Jewelry the gift that really can last a lifetime.

Holiday shopping can be hectic and stressful. Let Bronwen Jewelry help make it just a tiny bit easier--and brighter--for you.

As the leaves drift down and darken, the nights lengthen, and the sun's warm glow loses its intensity, we instinctively turn to other sources of light and color in our lives. We light fires, burn candles, wear vibrant scarves. We decorate our homes with wreaths and dried berries, hang garlands, and bake cookies. Where the outside world gives us browns, greys, and whites, we find ways to create sparkle and shine.

At Bronwen Jewelry, we share your craving for bright spots in a season of muted tones. We relish winter's cozy embrace, but we long for more light. Which is why we're so attracted to the warm hues and sparkling gleam of the materials in our studio, which we combine to provide you with the perfect seasonal ensembles. Our collections of handmade artisan jewelry fairly sourced from materials created around the world are vibrant and versatile, dressing you up or down according to your needs.

Whether you're looking to complement the colors of nature's dormant season or add color to your wardrobe when the world outside has grown subdued, we've got something for you.

Color Me Autumn

If late autumn leaves picked themselves up off the ground and transformed themselves into glass beads, our Harmony Wrap Bracelet - Smoky Topaz would be the result. Sultry shades of brown and mocha stack with with mixed metals sterling silver and gold vermeil, harmonizing with nature's carpet under the trees.

When dusk turns to inky black and a cuticle of moon rises over the quiet landscape, Bronwen's Night Sky Necklacehelps you celebrate the velvety darkness that serves as a backdrop to lunar light. This water-friendly adjustable necklace from our Active Line is lightweight and sturdy enough to wear through all your activities and complements everything from yoga wear to a business suit (do women still wear business suits?).

The harvest moon is undeniably beautiful, but you'll eclipse it in your Cascade Drop Earrings Moonstone. Laser-cut geometric chain in a chevron shape is modern and edgy without being trendy, and the gorgeous bezel-set moonstone adds a weighty elegance in a feather-light format. Of all things celestial, this is our favorite.

Fire it Up

Oh baby, it's cold outside, but the colors you wear are smokin' hot. You might not be able to shoot sparks from the ends of your fingertips (but please let us know if you can!) but your wrists can be on fire with our popular Ribbon Wrap Bracelets. For those seeking a fiery adornment, may we recommend a ribbon wrap in Bella Donnaor Fire and Smoke? The hardest part of choosing a ribbon wrap will be settling on just one, but take heart--plenty of women before you have chosen to simply stack two or three complementary wraps, setting their wrists ablaze (aesthetically speaking, of course!). Wrap bracelets pair beautifully with any of our Glasswrap line as well, so don't hesitate to set your own style on fire with fun and funky combinations.

Hindus believe that rubies contain an inner fire, and we at Bronwen Jewelry tend to agree; there's a reason that the Sanskrit word for "ruby" means "King of Gemstones." Two unique Bronwen pieces give you rubies that reflect your inner fire while adorning your neck with the warm glow of this precious gem: our Ruby Trail Necklace and the Ruby Isis Necklace. Either of these lightweight lovelies featuring faceted ruby nuggets and 24k gold vermeil spacers will light your fire.

Shine On

For sheer unabashed glimmer and gleam that brightens even the most dreary autumn day, we offer you three gorgeous options: the stacking Toltec Three Ring set, the sweet and sturdy Radiance Bracelet, and the dramatic Cascade Necklace. Any one of these beauties will knock you out with their understated luminescence, and adding to your glow will be the promise that these pieces--like all of the handcrafted jewelry at Bronwen--is backed by our lifetime repair/replace warranty.

So go ahead--stir up that hot toddy, pull on those wool socks, curl up on the couch. Welcome the transition of the seasons with open arms. And when you're ready to light things up, Bronwen Jewelry is here for you.

When the autumn air turns crisp and the birds begin their journey south, shops in multi-cultural cities throughout the world begin to fill with calaveras (sugar skulls), pan de muerto (sweet egg bread), cempasúchiles (marigolds), and altares (altars), as people of Mexican heritage prepare for Dia de Muertos.

Commonly misunderstood as simply the Mexican version of Halloween, Dia de Muertos is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout the country (and by Mexican people living elsewhere). Focusing on family gatherings, the multi-day holiday allows friends and relatives to pray for and remember those who have died, and to help them along on their spiritual journey.

Mexico gave us chocolate, popcorn, chewing gum, oral contraceptives, and tequila, but in the humble opinion of those of us at Bronwen Jewelry, by far the best thing Mexico has contributed to society is its daring use of color, as evidenced not only by Dia de Muertos decorations and celebrations, but also by the country's artisans' application of vibrant hues throughout their work.

On Dia de Muertos the streets are a riot of color: golden marigolds honoring the dead clustered in bouquets, garlands, and wreaths; bright fabric underlaying altars featuring offerings of glossy fruit, vivid paper adornments, and ornate dolls; costumes and face paint and flags.

Bronwen's Aurelia Beaded Post Earrings capture some of this color: blistering orange, fiery red, sumptuous purple, sparkly gold, brilliant aquamarine. Made with love in a traditional form by an established Fair Trade artisan in Jalisco, Mexico, these post earrings are eye-catchingly unique but light and simple enough for everyday wear, contrasting harmoniously with everything from cowl neck sweaters to little black dresses. Our Aurelia Beaded Rings add zip to neutral ensembles and bring out colors you didn't know were there, as well as complementing the post earrings with the same name. These handcrafted pieces of artisan jewelry fit Bronwen's aesthetic as well as our business practices.

While not as vivid as our Aurelialine, our Huichol jewelry adds its own elegance, sparkle, and warmth through tones of silver, gold, black, and satin. Our partnership with Huichol Love, a line of exquisite beaded jewelry made by Huichol artisans in the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico and finished with sterling silver and gold elements in Sayulita, Mexico and Austin, Texas, allows us to offer beaded cuffs and earrings that are a combination of colorful ethnic intensity and shimmering clean glamour. The Huichol Pulso braceletis slim or wideaccording to your preference, and is so darn attractive you probably won't be able to take your eyes off your own glimmering wrist.

When Bronwen's travels take us to Mexican neighborhoods that inspire us through their vibrancy, we design jewelry inspired by them, such as our Condesaline of wrap bracelets, cuffs, and necklaces. Our water-friendly Condesa Double Wrap Bracelets from our unique Active Line feature Czech glass beads complemented by shimmering metals; our elegant Condesa Cuff Bracelets are a striking blend of modern and traditional ethnic charm, and our Condesa Disc Necklaceis colorful, hip, and sophisticated. To really knock people out, slip on a striking Condesa Tassel Necklace.

Whether you honor Dia de Muertos from a cultural perspective or you just love the use of vibrant bursts of color employed in this traditional holiday, you can surely appreciate the trickle-down effect of the holiday's aesthetics on Bronwen Jewelry. At Bronwen Jewelry, we bring the world's colors to you.

The first time she tied into a rope and started up a rock face, says Nikki Smith, “I knew it was what I wanted to do. Nothing else existed when I was there—just the rock, holds, and [the people] with me.”

On rock and ice, Nikki is grace and power, strength and strategy. Her expression is relaxed, even carefree, working her way up rock faces and frozen waterfalls that at best look daunting to the average climber—and downright death-defying to those of us whose best days on the sharp end are behind us.

But Nikki is not the average climber. She’s a woman who has leveraged her appetite for the climbing life into a career that promotes and celebrates the sport that brings her so much joy. Few of us find a passion at 16 that we manage to turn into both a profession and a lifestyle, but Nikki has done just that, through creative expression, athleticism, innovation, diligence, and determination.

As the owner of Pull Photography, Pull Designs, and Pull Publishing, Nikki integrates her enthusiasm for climbing, her visual aesthetic, her instinctive entrepreneurialism, and her empathetic gaze into the human condition. She works with her hands, her eyes, and her intuition. To some degree, Nikki’s approach to her business ventures seems to mirror her approach to climbing. “Like books and art,” she says, “[climbing] requires a focus that quiets everything else. I…solve a new problem with every climb. Some I can unlock easily in a single try, some take years to unlock the intricacies.”

Nikki was introduced to photography as a child, when her amateur photographer father gave her a camera. A few of her photos won blue ribbons at the Utah State Fair—“pretty cool for a 5-year-old,” she says. But it wasn’t until Nikki learned to use a darkroom in high school that she really started to love the art form. “Being involved in the entire process brought more creativity and freedom,” she says.

In college, Nikki pulled tendons in 2 fingers on a boulder problem and couldn’t climb for a while. Photographing her friends climbing enabled her to remain an active part of the climbing scene while she was injured. Eventually, Nikki worked with a few established photographers in the Salt Lake City area and “begged them to critique [her] work.” As she started to improve, she slowly began to get photographs published. Now, her work is seen in outdoor publications all over the world, as well as in commercial applications. Her breathtaking photos of the people, places, and wildlife across the globe capture the grandeur of this amazing planet and, she says, encourage people to “dream big.”

Her name, however, is not exactly a household one; Nikki semi-jokingly refers to herself as “the most published climbing photographer nobody has ever heard of.” Still, although it’s Nikki’s climbing and landscape photographs that tend to show up in magazines and ad campaigns, it’s her portraits that bring her the most satisfaction. Trying to summarize a person in one photo, says Nikki, or showing who they are to others, “is my most important work.” She continues, “I didn’t fully realize how important this can be until I lost friends in the mountains and my portraits and action shots were used by friends and family to memorialize them.”

Nikki’s background as a climber allowed her to segue naturally into guiding, which she did while in college, with Utah Mountain Adventures. She also instructed and was in charge of route-setting at Rockreation, a Salt Lake City climbing gym. It was when she began working for climbing and outdoor gear distributor Liberty Mountain, however, that Nikki was able to use her full range of artistic talents—skills she cultivated as a youngster. “In my early years I used to draw and paint a lot,” she says. “I sewed, quilted, and knitted with my mom.” Nikki’s father was into “mountain manning,” she says, so the family spent many weekends attending mountain man rendezvous events all over the west, dressed in period costumes and selling homemade crafts. “We kids made beeswax candles, games, and jewelry,” she says of her early forays into creating products for retail sales.

At Liberty Mountain, Nikki was initially in charge of the climbing program, and then ran both the sponsorship program and the marketing department, creating illustrations, layout, and designs for catalogs and advertisements. During her time at Liberty Mountain, Nikki also started the Cypher brand and designed climbing shoes. All that sewing with mom came in handy.

Nikki Smith is a climber, photographer, designer, and author. Who has the energy for anything more? Apparently, Nikki Smith. She’s a sponsored athlete, representing big-name companies like Beal Ropes, Grivel, and Cypher, among others. She’s an author, having written feature articles in climbing magazines and five guidebooks to climbing in Utah, with more on the way. She’s a prodigy of first ascents, with more than 200 roped first ascents in Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Mongolia and another 200 bouldering first ascents. She’s a climbing access advocate and was a part of the group that founded the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance. She’s an Army veteran, decorated with various medals in the mid-1990s.

Nikki is also an Eagle Scout.

Wait, what—an Eagle Scout? Isn’t that just for boys?

Right. At least, that’s the way it’s been for the past century (in 2019 girls will be eligible to earn Eagle Scout distinction for the first time in Scouting history). But back in the day when Nikki earned her Eagle Scout badge, she was living with the public identity associated with the gender she was assigned in the womb.

Born genetically male and raised with the societal expectations that accompany that identity, Nikki says she always felt she was playing the character of a male in order to survive. “My mind and heart is and was always female,” she says, but “society didn’t see me or allow me to be viewed that way. I’ve always been [female], but for most of my life, I wasn’t able to express that. I wasn’t able to show it outwardly.”

Climbing and being outside provided a bit of a sanctuary for Nikki, who struggled to reconcile her public identity and her authentic self. “The outdoors and climbing were some of the few places I’ve ever felt I belonged,” she says.

Recently, Nikki has mustered up some of the grit and determination that have taken her so far professionally and channeled them into personal fulfillment. She changed her name and gender marker, underwent surgeries, bought some new clothes, and is finally living in public as her true self—the woman she has always been in mind, heart, and soul. “I’m dropping everything I used to pretend to be a man,” she says. “Transitioning,” she says, is not (as many of us assume) transitioning from being a man to being a woman or vice versa. It’s transitioning out of pretending to be one way and instead embracing being true to oneself, one’s nature. Nikki didn’t transition into being a woman—she transitioned into living outwardly as the woman she always has been.

The processing of coming out has been freeing, but is not without its challenges. “While most of my life and how people treat me is great,” Nikki says, “I am stared at, laughed at, pointed at, and whispered about daily. It can take a toll.”

But far more painful was the toll of living as someone she was not. As Nikki grew older, the issues she internalized about her gender identity led her to depression and, eventually, suicidal thoughts, even plans. In an extraordinarily serendipitous internet browsing session, however, author Brené Brown’s quoted encouragement to “show up and be seen” inspired Nikki to go out in public as her true self, so she went to a Las Vegas dance club and enjoyed 4 hours of “indescribable…freedom and joy. I was able to exist as the real me.” She knew then that she had to “get over my fear of what people would think of me. I just had to let go and begin the hard work. So I did.”

“Time is growing short,” Brown’s quotation notes, “There are unexplored adventures ahead of you. You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think. You were born worthy of love and belonging. Courage and daring are coursing through you. You were made to live and love with your whole heart. It’s time to show up and be seen.” Brown’s words spoke to Nikki “in a way nothing else ever had. I decided then and there to put off my [suicide] plans and try something different. Deep inside I had always known what was wrong but was too afraid to face it.”

Shortly after, Nikki began therapy. Since then, she says, “I’ve let go of so much hurt, self-hatred, and negativity. The last six months have been some of the happiest of my life. I can finally look in the mirror and not hate the reflection I see staring back.”

When Nikki looks in the mirror now, she sees the woman she has always been inside: stylish clothing, tasteful makeup, killer jewelry. Oh yes, jewelry. Because as a global ambassador for Bronwen Jewelry, Nikki wears some of her favorite pieces both on and off the rock, like her Beaded Fisherman’s Necklace and her Glasswrap Bracelet.

Nikki and Bronwen met at the Outdoor Retailer trade show, when a mutual friend brought Nikki to the Bronwen booth for some accessorizing. When Nikki requested special sizing on a few pieces, Bronwen’s team was delighted to oblige, building a custom assortment for Nikki. “We make jewelry because it brings joy to women,” founder Bronwen Lodato says, “and if we can be a part of helping a woman feel powerfully feminine, beautiful, sexy, and truly happy in her own skin, then we’ve succeeded in our mission.”

Nikki’s other go-to Bronwen pieces are her Amazon Woman Earrings (“pretty fitting for an Amazon like me,” she laughs) and her Open Gold Circle Beaded Fishermans Necklace. Like the rest of Bronwen Jewelry’s active line necklaces and bracelets, all of Nikki’s favorite Bronwen pieces integrate seamlessly not only with her aesthetic style, but with her lifestyle. “Even when working out I can still connect with the glamorous side of myself,” Nikki says. “It’s beautiful [and] I can wear it climbing, trail running, biking, and camping.”

Nikki’s history with jewelry is a bit complicated. Growing up, she loved making jewelry. “I could never wear it, though,” she says. “It was always for sale or gifts and only for my sisters and mom to wear. Jewelry was not allowed in my young life, and that carried on long afterward. I didn’t wear rings, watches, necklaces until I fully embraced who I am.”

Now, Nikki says, jewelry “is just a part of me. It allows me to express myself beyond clothing.” It’s more than just an expression of style, however; jewelry is part of Nikki’s growing confidence in her identity. “While it might not always be,” she says, “right now jewelry, makeup, clothing, and my sense of style are tied together and act as a type of armor. I feel strong and can face the world and those who don’t believe I should be a part of it when I am styled the way I want. I’m not doing it for others—it’s to help me feel beautiful and strong. When I feel that way, anything is possible.”

This sense of possibility, of confidence, is a welcome feeling for someone who has always felt that she “saw the world a little differently than others” and that she was always playing a character that others expected to see. Nikki’s early years were characterized by a juxtaposition of uncertainty and sheer normalcy. Her father’s work as a cartographer for the US Forest Service led the family from Moab, Utah, to the Wasatch Front, where Nikki was raised. Family activities were wholesome outdoor adventures— fossil and mineral collecting, led by her father, whose background was in geology and archeology.

Nikki’s family was Mormon, and the church provided many necessities before her father died of leukemia when Nikki was 14, after many years of illness. “The church and the congregation provided Christmases,” she says. “And food and clothing when I was younger.”

As a child, Nikki loved art and drew all the time. Although she didn’t pursue writing at the same time she dove into visual arts like drawing and painting, in recent years, it has become an important component of Nikki’s self-expression. Books written by others, however, were prominent features in Nikki’s young life. “Books and the library were a refuge from the confusion of my life. They were a window into other worlds.”

When Nikki thinks back on herself as a child, she wishes she could tell that younger self “I’m sorry I doubted you for so long. I hid and hated you. I thought I was protecting you, but I was wrong. Never again. It will all turn out ok. Your friends will embrace you. You will be loved not only by your wife, family, and friends but in time, by yourself. Someday you will look in the mirror and love who you see. You are strong and smart and beautiful. You will travel the world and make a living off your art. Don’t listen to those who tell you that you can’t accomplish what you want, that you can’t be yourself. Don’t listen to those who mock you and hurt you. They are in pain themselves.”

Although Nikki hasn’t shed the sting of struggling with her identity as a child, she is directing the memory of that confusion into helping others in similar situations by speaking up, by showing up and being seen. “I’m not ashamed that I am transgender and will do what I can to speak out on issues that affect the trans and queer community,” she says.

Nikki is unapologetically transgender, but refuses to let that single label define her; it’s just one aspect of who she is, the way it is with any other trans- or cisgender person. When she’s not climbing rock or ice, Nikki stays in shape by running 50-mile ultramarathons and competing in 200+-mile road bike events. Plus, she gardens, cooks, bakes, and creates cocktails, apparently in her “spare” time. (Sorry, folks, she’s already married.)

And whether it’s on the rock face, behind the camera lens, at the publishing desk, in the design studio, or on the dance floor at the nightclub, Nikki Smith is all in, showing up and being seen.

Nikki writes openly and poignantly about her suicidal thoughts HERE and about coming out HERE. And her Instagram feed is a veritable visual delight.

Some helpful and interesting links for those seeking to learn more about transgender people.

You went to school to learn, girl, things you never, never knew before

Like "i" before "e" except after "c," and why 2 plus 2 makes 4...y

Let's face it: no one could make going back to school as appealing as young Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, circa 1970. But let the gals at Bronwen Jewelry give it a shot--we'll show you what it's all about.

In elementary school, you're all about singing it out, loud and proud. You mix colors and fabrics and patterns like a boss. Floral with stripes? Bring it on. Denim with tulle? Don't mind if I do.

In elementary school, going back into the classroom is no reason to abandon the dress-up ethic you embrace at home. You want to sparkle and shine, and Bronwen's line of children's jewelry can help you do just that, easy as 1, 2, 3. All our artisan children's jewelry is handcrafted with the same care and the same materials we use in our adult collections. We know you appreciate quality as much for your kids as you do for yourself.

There's nary a little girl on the planet who won't find something she loves in our Tiny Charm collection of necklaces and Earrings. Would she like a little fairy hanging around her neck? Or what about a magic wand? Or a monkey? Whether she fancies the fanciful mermaid charm or she favors the elegant feather, our Tiny Charms will reflect her tastes. And with Tiny Charmearrings to complement or contrast, she can sport a complete set of these sweet, lightweight, water-friendly charms. Some call it surf jewelry, some call it sports jewelry; we call it active jewelry and your little girl can wear it wherever she goes.

Some days (oh, let's face it--EVERY day) your elementary school girl wants to shimmer with every color of the rainbow. These are days for our Aurelia Beaded Post Earrings. Handmade with love in a traditional form by an established Fair Trade artisan in Mexico, these intricate and bright beaded earrings are the perfect pop-out post around.

Your little girl's bohemian outfit simply cries out for one of our Ribbon Wrap Bracelets. Sized perfectly for her tiny wrist, our Petite B ribbon wrap features a hand-dyed natural silk ribbon and an adorable pewter heart clasp. And if your girl forever has paint or mud up to her elbows, skip the ribbon wrap and opt instead for one of our Swim Wrap Bracelets, which are made from repurposed swimsuit material and fare better in the water than the silk ribbons. Our handmade bracelet wraps are among our most popular items for all ages.

The Jackson 5 told us that reading, writing, and arithmetic are the branches of the learning tree, but they left out one critical element: accessorizing. Never fear--your middle school girl won't let you forget that one. By middle school, your little girl has reined in her aesthetic a bit, but she hasn't lost that passion for jewelry that reflects who she is.

Tiny Charm Necklaces and Earringsremain just as popular with this crowd as they are with the little people, but your middle school girl may be ready for less whimsical and more realistic charms, like the Tiny Charm Lotus Earringsor our popular 3 Petal or the Lucky You Horseshoenecklaces.

Your girl who spent her summer in the backcountry can carry a little bit of the wilderness with her in her Mountain Tiny Charm Earrings, and memories of a sunny summer vacation can be held in her Sunburst Necklace.

Your middle school girl is experimenting with her style, figuring out how what she wears says about who she is. She may explore her edgy side a bit, with our Prayer Flag Necklaceor Ronja Post Earrings, or possibly even becoming a trendsetter at her school with a pair of ear jackets, cultivating a bit of intrigue to her persona.

Back in the day, middle school girls used to stack their wrists with embroidery thread friendship bracelets or cheap bangles. These days, their tastes reflect a more refined aesthetic. Still, there's hardly a middle school around who isn't attracted to the idea of a wrist full of bracelets. Whether your girl prefers the sumptuous Ribbon Wrap Bracelets, the beaded Waterweave Bracelets, or the hardySwim Wrap Bracelets--or all three!--she'll find beautiful ways to express her style through her choice of wrist adornment.

By high school, your girl is ready to show YOU what it's all about, so take a seat. High school is about expressing one's identity, presenting bold choices, and making one's mark. Get your girl over here and we'll help style her in a way that reflects her personality.

Nothing confirms your place in the high school style manual like the first-day-of-school display of a Braided Santo Necklace, backed up by our simple but dramaticCatania Earrings. You go, girl.

For everyday wear, Glasswrap Braceletsand Ribbon Wrap Bracelets complement any outfit, from jeans to a prom dress, while our Pyrite Trail Necklacecan be layered with just about any other piece in your jewelry box, and left on for days or weeks.

We can't guarantee results, but we're pretty sure our Amazon Woman Earringsinfuse the wearer with a sense of courage and strength, which could come in handy when taking a test or doing a presentation. Special occasions call for statement jewelry, and our Cascade Earringsand Cascade Necklaceare sure to attract all the right kind of attention while making you feel brave and beautiful.

You might not be allowed to wear jewelry while playing sports, but nothing says you can't accessorize for game day before hitting the locker room. Our Beaded Fisherman's Necklace is both dramatic and simple, crafted to be sturdy and featuring faceted Czech glass beads and spacers strung on delicate-looking but super strong cord. And our vibrant Condesa Braceleton your wrist just serves to remind you that you are just as colorful, dynamic, and unique as the Mexico City neighborhood this bracelet is named after.

Whether you've got the back-to-school blues or you've been waiting for this day ever since school let out last June, the gals at Bronwen Jewelry know how you feel. And we're here to help you find your inner shine, all year long. So listen to us baby, that's all you got to do. With Bronwen Jewelry, back-to-school style is as simple as do-re-mi.